Author Archives: Mary Ann Romans

About Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, online content manager, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania in the middle of the woods but close enough to Target and Home Depot. The author of many magazine, newspaper and online articles, Mary Ann enjoys writing about almost any subject. "Writing gives me the opportunity to both learn interesting information, and to interact with wonderful people." Mary Ann has written more than 5,000 blogs for Families.com since she started back in December 2006. Contact her at maromans AT verizon.net or visit her personal blog http://homeinawoods.wordpress.com

Coupon Countdown: Extreme Savings in Four Weeks

Would you like to start saving up to 90 percent off of your groceries? It is very possible, thanks to coupons and extreme saving strategies. In one month, you can leave the grocery store with a skip in your step instead of a grimace at your grocery receipt. Forget the expensive couponing classes and read this article instead! Week One: Find Serious Coupons While clipping your Sunday morning coupons might have saved you a little bit in the past, it is time to get serious. You want high-value coupons, and you want many of them. Don’t settle for one newspaper … Continue reading →

8 DIY Spring Home Maintenance Projects to Try

In some parts of the country there is still snow on the ground. Yes, I am talking about my own backyard. Still, it will all melt at some point, right? Unfortunately, even though we have done all of that shoveling, the home work is not yet done. Of course, it will be wonderful to work outside in warmer temperatures, with the sun shining down and the gentle spring air. Annual spring maintenance is important to keep your home running well, and to avoid larger, and more expensive problems later. The more than you can do yourself, the more money you … Continue reading →

Save $200 This Month on Groceries!

How much do you spend on groceries per month? $400, $500, more? Wouldn’t it be nice to chop that bill down to size and still enjoy all of the food that you love? You don’t have to be extreme; you don’t have to be obsessed. All you have to do is follow a few tips and watch the monthly savings add up. Save $50 You can automatically save at least $50 off of your monthly grocery expenses when you make a grocery list. It is that simple! Planning your meals in advance, writing up a list of ingredients you need … Continue reading →

3 Sales Tricks that Mess with Your Head

Do you think that you are in control of your shopping? You might be surprised. That is because there are a number of sales techniques, from free shipping to coupons that can mess with your head and cause you to spend some serious money without even being aware that it was their idea, not yours. Comparison Sizes Can Trip You Up Let us imagine that your are at the movie theater, standing at the concession counter. You have to make a decision on what size popcorn to purchase out of three sizes, small, medium and jumbo. The medium is probably … Continue reading →

Money Saving Ways to Save Your Winter Skin

Winter can wreak havoc on your skin. The dry air and indoor heat pulls moisture away, leaving us with itchy, irritated, dry and cracked skin. Moisturizer can work, but cheaper versions can make skin worse (most of them have alcohol, a drying ingredient). More expensive versions may do the trick, but you’ll have to slather them on, and the cost can add up over the course of the winter. There are better ways, more economical ways to save your skin this winter, keeping it soft, lovely and healthy. Purchase an Inexpensive Humidifier A humidifier is a worthwhile investment that can … Continue reading →

Have a Special Valentines Day on a Budget

Sure, most of us would love to spend Valentine’s Day with diamonds and a five-star restaurant meal, but meaningful expressions of love don’t have to come with a price tag. Sometimes the most romantic nights cost nothing at all. If you are worried that your budget won’t allow for an elaborate Valentine’s Day celebration, just relax. There are plenty of ways to create a wonderful experience, and show your partner that he or she is absolutely adored. Here are some practical ways to make your Valentine’s Day special on a budget. Spend More Time Thinking Instead of Shopping Really take … Continue reading →

How to Save Money on a Gym Membership

If you have been thinking about joining a gym, today might be one of the best days to do it. Many fitness facilities are slicing membership costs right now. Why? Well, there are the initial promotions for the beginning of the year, the time when most people join a gym. Many of these promotions expire January 31, but guess what? New ones should take their place, as fitness centers try to extend the rush of membership to get them through the rest of the year. Here are some of the more popular gyms or fitness centers and the promotions that … Continue reading →

Breakfast Items that Freeze Well

One of the ways to save money is by avoiding the expensive cost of breakfast. You may be overspending on this important meal if you rely on convenience items, such as dry cereal, individual oatmeal packets, and store-bought frozen breakfast items, from sandwiches to pancakes. To reduce your spending in this area, consider preparing your own breakfast items and freezing them for later use. This way, you will always have a ready breakfast at hand, no matter how hectic the morning turns out to be. You can approach preparing freezer breakfast items in at least two different ways. You can … Continue reading →

4 Ways to Lower Your Winter Energy Costs Right Now

If you do nothing, chances are that your winter energy costs will be significantly higher this year than they were last. Blame the extreme weather with more snow and ice than usual and the polar vortex with record-breaking low temperatures sustained for days. It is a mess, and we all just need to keep warm. This kind of extreme weather may inspire your to make some permanent changes in your home to increase its energy efficiency, such as by upping your insulation or installing high-end thermal windows, but those improvements won’t help you right now. What will? Read on for … Continue reading →

3 Easy Steps to Start a Budget

Creating a household or personal budget does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be quite easy. The secret is to avoid the common mistake of making the process complicated. The best budgets are the ones that are easy to understand, easy to follow, and easy to maintain. It is your money. Put yourself in control and have a little fun with your assets. Where to Start Taking that first step is always the hardest when it comes to budgeting. Let’s make it a little easier First open up a spreadsheet program (or take out a piece of … Continue reading →